Having a Great time at a Company Christmas Party Without the Influence of Alcohol!

I love going to my husband's company's Christmas party!

Lobby of Richmond Hill country club

We have been attending the Christmas party for over a decade at around the same time each year.

Eric & his wife

 I get to meet those nice professional people with whom my husband has worked for many years. They are very friendly, kind and professional.

Guests were enjoying themselves at the dinner

The best thing of all - though the company provides a free bar for the entire duration of the dinner party every year, no one ever takes advantage of this generous offer of hospitality, gets drunk and do silly things.






When I was a young teacher attending our staff Christmas party, I remember clearly how one fellow male teacher, having too much to drink, tried to do some inappropriate things to a young female colleague. It wasn't pleasant for other party goers at all.

Delicious meat entrees

Last weekend, we were at this year's company Christmas party held at the Richmond Hill Country Club, a lovely venue for this seasonal event.

 As always, there was a nice spread of appetizers with cold cuts, shrimps, and salads followed by an array of delicious hot food.

We enjoyed the food and games prepared by a member of the young staff. One game which I particularly enjoyed was the game that brought the people together at the party.

There were a number of questions written on a piece of paper about the various staff members. Participants of this game read the statement and tried to figure out which staff member matched the particular description.

A great game to encourage guests to mingle and get to know one another

They would go over to the person(s) and had them initial on the box. Instead of people just sitting at their table taking to a few people they knew, this was a nice game as it got people walking around talking and getting to know their colleagues in the company.

Everyone behaved well and had a great time at the party!

Another different game played at the party was a reverse draw which I saw for the first time.

Instead of winning a prize when your name was drawn, the winning numbers were predetermined and written on a board. The person whose name was drawn did not get the prize but to draw the next name until the winning number was drawn.



No alcohol was needed to get people going in these games. It was a couple of clean fun games for everyone to have a good time at the party!

However, the same good behaviour was not exhibited by some of our Canadian government officials.  A Swedish official from its embassy was interviewed on CBC yesterday morning explaining that Canadians were not invited to this year's Swedish Embassy's Christmas party in Ottawa, due to their unruly behaviour at last year's event. The Canadians at the party were drunk and behaving badly. Below is a link to the report:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thisisthat/claiming-they-party-too-hard-swedish-embassy-refuses-to-invite-any-canadians-to-their-holiday-party-satire-1.3897285

What a shame it was when the high level government officials representing our country behaved inappropriately in an official government party!

They have a few things to learn from my husband's  company.

Well done! Guys!

R.T.
Toronto

Giving Back to Young People in My Community

It was quite a busy and eventful last few months. Much did take place but I was so busy studying that I dd not have time to write about these events. I am trying to catch up with my blog writing so that I would not forget them.

In October, I did a series of workshops in the Kitchener/ Waterloo area, trying to help young people and university students there in their job search and interview skills. The response was very good. In fact, After I did three workshops in the fall, some people are asking for me to return and do more.

M. shared her successful job searching experience with the young people in Waterloo

In one of the workshops, I invited an employer from the local community and a new graduate, who received a few job offers and chose one which she liked the best, to come and share her experience with the group.

In the third, also the last workshop, I incorporated a business culture element in the workshop helping participants to learn about some of the corporate practices and expectations of their employees.

More than forty people attended this workshop. It made me very happy when the participants told me that they learned and benefit from these workshops. 

It was a busy time for me in the autumn of 2016 when I had to juggle studying, teaching part time and doing community presentations. But I loved it!

I thank God for giving me opportunities working with the young people and sharing with other educators my experiences in education. There's nothing more fulfilling in my retirement life than giving back to society and to Canada, the country I love and call home for the past many decades!

R.T.

Kitchener/ Waterloo

Toronto area

Attending Henry's Moon Yuet Celebration

A Moon Yet celebration dinner held at a restaurant in Markham

Being a part of a big family, we are fortunate enough to be invited to share with my siblings' happiness and celebrate with them in their milestones and happy events.

The proud new grandma with her guest.

Both of my sisters have become grandmothers recently, one of whom for the first time. Last fall, we were invited to celebrate in their grandchildren's Moon Yuet celebrations.

Little Theodore and his proud parents!

First it was Theodore's Moon Yet in September.

Little Henry all dressed in  his red outfit at his Moon Yet dinner party

More recently, it was Henry's Moon Yet party!

Moon Yet - means a full month, referring to the new born baby being one month old.

The new parents showing off their new baby to the guests

 In the Chinese tradition, both the new mother and baby are supposed to be resting at home for the entire month without receiving any visitors (except for the grandparents).

This post birth one month period allows the mother ample time to rest and recover from the delivery while giving the baby time to grow strong.and gain immunity without contracting potential germs from visitors.

 After the one month both the new mother and baby are stronger and doing better.

Family and relatives come together to share the joy of the new family

The new family will hold a Moon Yuet dinner where the proud parents will present their new born baby to the relatives and friends.

Theodore\s proud parents and grandma

Though born in Canada, many Canadian born Chinese still carry on this century old Chinese tradition.

Moon Yuet is a happy event to share with friends and family.

Our niece and nephews were no exceptions and held their baby Moon Yuet dinners for their extended families.

But instead of holding the dinner a month after the birth, it has now been modified as a hundred day celebration.

The coloured eggs - a must at the Moon Yuet dinner celebration

We enjoyed attending the celebrations and going to the dinners.

Luke and his parents!

With all the negative reporting and news of violence being reported daily on TV, it was nice to have a break from all the bad news and be among family and loved ones to celebrate a new baby's arrival.

Harper and her dad at the dinner

Children are gifts and blessings from God;
they are precious!

Great grandma with some of her daughters and grand daughter

We had a wonderful time sharing the new parents' and the grandparents' joy and happiness with them!

We were glad we were there to share with my sisters' bundle of joy!

R.T.
Markham, Ontario

God Sends Angels to Help Me in Times of Needs!

Finally, I could breathe a sign of relief after handing in my final major paper for my first course in seminary study. I could not believe how fast time flew by since September. It seemed like yesterday when I was starting my study. I attended every one of the lectures faithfully, did all the required readings, completed all my essays on time and got to know some great Christian folks! 

I enjoyed my student life last fall on campus

I still remember the nervous experience I had when submitting my paper online for the first time last fall.  The last time I took a university credit course was over fifteen years ago well before the internet age.



I enjoyed every one of my professor’s lectures and worked hard at completing all my assignments.  I was very excited after finishing my first paper on time. However, not being computer savvy and with a techno phobia, I had difficulty navigating my way around the college website and  locating moodle to which students were supposed to submit their assignments online.

My favourite spot for enjoying my meals at the Tyndale Seminary

 I was not prepared to miss the assignment deadline due to my poor online skills. I packed up my computer and rushed to the college heading straight to the library. I was sure the librarian there would be able to help me. But she could not! We tried different ways yet we were unsuccessful. I was getting discouraged. Was I going to miss the deadline for my first assignment?

Just then, a lady who had been standing at the counter for a little while but I had not noticed until then asked.” Are you taking Professor D’s course? You are trying to submit the paper via moodle?”

“ Yes, I replied, “ Do you know how to do it?” Crossing my fingers, I was hoping for a postive answer..

“Yes!” she replied cheerfully with an angelic smile. ” I can help you with it. I am also taking the same course in the afternoon session and I just handed in the same paper today.”

The Chapet at Tyndale Seminary, Toronto

“ Thank you so much! That would really help me.” I was filled with gratitude.

This kind lady took me to a computer station and in no time at all she assisted me in submitting my paper. I was relieved, and elated. There were springs in my steps as I handed towards my class afterwards.

After a couple times of handing in my writing assignments, I have finally learned the skills needed for online submission for my seminary courses.

I know there are many people who don’t believe in God and His mighty power.  I do! Looking back the many decades I have been trusting God with my life, I truly believe that God cares for me in everything I do. I could feel His presence in my everyday living as He sends angels to help me in times of needs.

I just wish that many more in the world could find God, trust and follow His way. If we do, then there will be true peace in the world!

R.T.

Toronto

Reflections on the Post 2016 American Election

For days, weeks and months, Canadians have been bombarded with news about the 2016 American election. There was no escape from  all the  reporting and negative news. 

Finally, last night the big day came when Americans went to the polls and cast their ballots.

My husband and I watched the election at around 8pm last night. However, we were disappointed with the results when Trump won Ohio and Florida, the key battleground states for this election and a must win for Trump. We went to bed at around 11am hoping that when we woke up today, Americans would have elected its first female president and made history.

How disappointed we were waking up to the result!  Many Canadians share our view and are saddened that such a well qualified candidate was bypassed and her opponent was elected instead.

It was reported on CBC ( Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)  radio this morning that on the go bus this morning, it was silent like a graveyard as commuters were so shocked by the result of this election.  

The Canadian immigration website crashed this morning after the election results due to heavy traffic from Americans. We also have family members living in the States; we sincerely hope and pray that Canadians and other temporary residents studying, living and working in the U.S. could continue their lives in a peaceful society without any interruptions, fear and violence.

R.T.

Toronto 

Last Day of Our Retreat on Silence and Solitude

We spent almost three days at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre.

We have gained and learned a  lot from our silence and solitude retreat.

Today was our last day.








All of us had a bittersweet feeling about it. Some were glad to go home to see their families while part of us wanted to continue in this journey of silence of solitude.

A small pond outside the dining hall at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

The Renewal Centre is a very quiet, tranquil place for personal reflections.

Under the guidance of a spiritual director, some can seek spiritual growth in this beautiful peaceful setting.

I would always remember the delicious meals, the enlightening conversations and the new found friendship forged in the dining hall.

Worship in the Chapel

I thoroughly enjoyed the simple yet moving worship with singing and words of God that touched our souls deeply in the chapel.

Experiencing God and His wonderful creations in nature

Most of all, we could always find God in nature. Through His creations, I see beauty, colour, symmetry and life.

Thank you, Abba father for this wonderful three days of being in your presence!

R.T.
Mississauga

A Retreat Experience on Silence and Solitude

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

Today was the second day of our retreat. I didn’t have a good sleep at all last night. So I got up shortly after 6 am and started doing my devotion.

 It was a nice and quiet time. I do hope that this is God’s way of helping me to get up early each morning to meet with him.

Dining Hall at the Renewal Centre 

Breakfast was at 8 am in the dining hall. it was a nice buffet style with sausages and eggs as well as fruits and hot cereal.

We had our worship in the chapel

After breakfast, there was a short worship service in the main chapel.

We had a lecture on Listening to God after the morning worship. The most interesting exercise I had ever been asked to do was the afternoon exercise on silence and solitude.

Beautiful ground at the centre

For almost five hours, from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm, we were supposed to be completely silent.

We could do whatever we feel like such as reading, taking a walk, drawing, praying or mediating on the ground of the Renewal Centre or around the area.

But we would have to do that chosen activity without speaking a word with one another. The idea was to be silent, spending time alone with God, resting in Him and trying to hear His voice.

We walked down  the wooden staircase with 125 steps leading to the edge of  Credit River.

I have been looking forward to this period of silence and solitude for a long time.

I have no problem finding things to do in silence at all.  Since the retreat centre was such a beautiful place, I decided to explore its surrounding area.

I walked down the wooden staircase with 125 plus stairs leading to the river edge with another classmate.

Credit River, Mississauga, Ontario

Enchanted by the beauty of the forest by the river side, I stayed a little longer looking at the changing color of the leaves.

I found a perfect maple leaf with round dew droplets on it lying on the forest ground! Alone by myself, I reflected on God's love and grace in my life. I kept praising God and trying to hear His voice.

After a little while,  I went back to the centre and napped for about forty five minutes. Then I went outside and explored the neighbourhood and took pictures of the grand mansions. I came across a few people from my course. We just nodded without talking

I went for a walk in the neighborhood of the Renewal Centre.

.It was a beautiful warm autumn afternoon, perfect time to be outside.

Coffee/ tea/ cookies for the retreat participants

I came back to the centre. Having poured myself a cup of tea, got a cookie and a book, I seated myself comfortably in the lobby and enjoyed some good reading. 

I enjoyed my silence and reading time in the lobby of the Renewal Centre

In no time at all, it was 5:30pm when the silence and solitude exercise was over! 

For me, I totally enjoyed my few hours of silence and solitude at the Renewal Centre!

It gave me time to be alone and enjoy nature and its beauty on a great autumn afternoon!

R.T.

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

Mississauga, Ontario